Concept explainers
From a standstill, you begin jogging at 5 m/s directly toward the galaxy Centaurus A, which is on the horizon
(a) There is a clock in Centaurus A. According to you, how will readings on this clock differ before and after you begin jogging? (Remember: You change frames.)
(b) The planet Neptune is between Earth and Centaurus A,
(c) What would be the time differences if you had instead begun jogging in the opposite direction?
(d) What do these results tell you about the observations of a traveling twin who accelerates toward his Earth−bound twin? How do these observations depend on the distance between the twins?
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 2 Solutions
Modern Physics
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
College Physics (10th Edition)
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition)
The Cosmic Perspective (8th Edition)
Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)
- Joe and Moe are twins. In the laboratory frame at location S1 (2.00 km, 0.200 km, 0.150 km). Joe shoots a picture for aduration of t= 12.0 s. For the same duration as measured inthe laboratory frame, at location S2 (1.00 km, 0.200 km,0.300 km), Moe also shoots a picture. Both Joe and Moe begintaking their pictures at t = 0 in the laboratory frame. Determine the duration of each event as measured by an observer ina frame moving at a speed of 2.00 108 m/s along the x axisin the positive x direction. Assume that at t = t = 0, the origins of the two frames coincide.arrow_forwardAn astronaut is traveling in a spacecraft in outer space in a straight line at a constant speed of 0.500c. Which of the following effects would she experience? (a) She would feel heavier. (b) She would find it harder to breathe. (c) Her heart rate would change. (d) Some of the dimensions of her spacecraft would be shorter. (e) None of those answers is correct.arrow_forwardExplain why, when defining the length of a rod, it is necessary to specify that the positions of the ends of the rod are to be measured simultaneously.arrow_forward
- Calculate the momentum of a proton moving with a speed of (a) 0.010c, (b) 0.50c, (c) 0.90c. (d) Convert the answers of (a)(c) to MeV/c.arrow_forwardSuppose our Sun is about to explode. In an effort to escape, we depart in a spaceship at v = 0.80c and head toward the star Tau Ceti, 12 lightyears away. When we reach the midpoint of our journey from the Earth, we see our Sun explode and, unfortunately, at the same instant we see Tau Ceti explode as well. (a) In the spaceship’s frame of reference, should we conclude that the two explosions occurred simultaneously? If not, which occurred first? (b) In a frame of reference in which the Sun and Tau Ceti are at rest, did they explode simultaneously? If not, which exploded first?arrow_forwardA spacecraft moves at a speed of 0.900c. If its length is L as measured by an observer on the spacecraft, what is the length measured by a ground observer?arrow_forward
- A rod of length L0 moving with a speed v along the horizontal direction makes an angle 0 with respect to the x axis. (a) Show that the length of the rod as measured by a stationary observer is L = L0[1 (v2/c2)cos2 0]1/2. (b) Show that the angle that the rod makes with the x axis is given by tan = tan 0. These results show that the rod is both contracted and rotated. (Take the lower end of the rod to be at the origin of the primed coordinate system.)arrow_forwardGive a physical argument showing that it is impossible to accelerate an object of mass m to the speed of light, even with a continuous force acting on it.arrow_forwardYou measure the volume of a cube at rest to be V0. You then measure the volume of the same cube as it passes you in a direction parallel to one side of the cube. The speed of the cube is 0.980c, so 5. Is the volume you measure close to (a) V0/25, (b) V0/5, (c) V0, (d) 5V0, or (e) 25V0?arrow_forward
- Two powerless rockets are on a collision course. The rockets are moving with speeds of 0.800c and 0.600c and are initially 2.52 × 1012 m apart as measured by Liz, an Earth observer, as shown in Figure P1.34. Both rockets are 50.0 m in length as measured by Liz. (a) What are their respective proper lengths? (b) What is the length of each rocket as measured by an observer in the other rocket? (c) According to Liz, how long before the rockets collide? (d) According to rocket 1, how long before they collide? (e) According to rocket 2, how long before they collide? (f) If both rocket crews are capable of total evacuation within 90 min (their own time), will there be any casualties? Figure P1.34arrow_forward(a) Suppose the speed of light were only 3000 m/s. A jet fighter moving toward a target on the ground at 800 m/s shoots bullets, each having a muzzle velocity of 1000 m/s. What are the bullets' velocity relative to the target? (b) If the speed of light was this small, would you observe relativistic effects in everyday life? Discuss.arrow_forwardConsider an electron moving with speed 0.980c. a. What is the rest mass energy of this electron? b. What is the total energyof this electron? c. What is the kinetic energy of this electron?arrow_forward
- Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningClassical Dynamics of Particles and SystemsPhysicsISBN:9780534408961Author:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. MarionPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology ...PhysicsISBN:9781305116399Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations...PhysicsISBN:9781133939146Author:Katz, Debora M.Publisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics Volume 3PhysicsISBN:9781938168185Author:William Moebs, Jeff SannyPublisher:OpenStaxModern PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781111794378Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. MoyerPublisher:Cengage Learning